From Middle French operatif (modern French opératif).

• IPA: /ˈɒpəɹətɪv/, /ˈɒpɹətɪv/

operative

1. Effectual or important.

   He's usually in a good mood — the operative word there being "usually". Today was a disaster.

2. Functional, in working order.
3. Having the power of acting; hence, exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects.

   an operative motive

   • 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:

     It holds in all operative principles.

4. Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious.

   an operative dose, rule, or penalty

5. Based upon, or consisting of, a surgical operation or operations. [from 18th c.]

   operative surgery

• operand
• operant
• operate
• operation
• operational
• operator

• French: opératif
• Italian: operativo
• Russian: де́йственный
• Spanish: operatorio

• French: opératif
• Italian: operativo
• Russian: действовать
• Spanish: operatorio

• French: opératoire
• Italian: operatorio
• Portuguese: operatório
• Spanish: operatorio

operative (plural operatives)

1. An employee or other worker with some particular function or skill.
2. A spy, secret agent, or detective.
3. A participant in an operation.